Book Review: All the Missing Girls

I'm compelled to read certain books because the author takes a unique approach to structure and I, as a writer, wish to observe and learn. I think of the novel, Alphabetical Africa, written in a tight unconventional structure. In the first chapter of that book, author Walter Abish writes only using words that begin with the letter a. In subsequent chapters, he adds words with the further letters, first adding b, then c, etc. The final chapter work in reverse removing all the z words, the y words, etc, until back to only a words. I attempted to read it once. Although a clever construct, it was a terrible experience.

This book, however, turns a structure on its head with more success. In All the Missing Girls, author Megan Miranda, tells most of the story in a backwards order, from Day 15, back to Day 1. From the outset you know a few key factors: ten years ago the protagonist's best friend disappeared and now, shortly after her return to help settle her demented father's affairs and prepare their childhood home for sale, another girl has disappeared. The two appear linked, but the pieces of the puzzle come slowly, and in reverse.

Besides clearing the house, Nicolette Farrell also wishes to confront her father about a note he recently sent, saying he saw the missing girl on their porch. Chapter by chapter new clues emerge. Nicolette's engagement ring is missing. They find the second missing girl's purse buckle in the woods. Nicolette cannot sleep. Her high school boyfriend, Tyler, remains an elusive draw for her. Slowly, things come into focus and make sense.

I would love to study this book further, even though I have no intention of ever writing a murder mystery. The build-up to the climax is expertly crafted. While I didn't feel drawn to any of the characters, I was intensely eager to learn the truth and solve the mystery. It might be fun to read the book backwards, beginning with the final chapter and ending with chapter one (although I would only recommend doing so after reading the book in the intended manner - it was a wild ride and well worth a bit of confusion).